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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: "Mrs. Mary Kargbo" <test@ssu.ac.ir>
Reply-To: <mrskargbomary@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Oct 2016 06:07:39 +0530
Subject: Hello,

GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU READ THIS MESSAGE FROM A WIDOW. I am very sure this message came to you as surprise, I am Mrs Mary Kargbo from Sierra-Leone, a widow since 2012 and barren. I want you to use the money deposited by my late husband to help the poor, orphanages and less privileged. I have colon cancer and having known my condition, I want you to use this fund for orphanages, also build schools for less privileged. Send your response for more informations. Yours of Good Heart. Mrs. Mary Kargbo I Trust In God.

Anti-fraud resources: